Ohio Farm Transition Network (OFTN)
OFTN is a collaborative network designed to improve access to high-quality farm transition planning services for farm families. OFTN brings together agricultural service providers, educators, industry partners, and organizations to build capacity, improve consistency, and increase the number of completed farm transition plans across Ohio.
Goals of the Ohio Farm Transition Network
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Train and support attorneys, accountants, lenders, financial advisors, insurance professionals, Extension educators, and other agricultural service providers involved in farm transition planning
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Standardize terminology and best practices to improve the quality and reliability of transition planning services
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Serve as a statewide clearinghouse of educational resources and qualified service providers
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Increase awareness of the importance of proactive farm transition planning
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Measure progress and impact through data collection and reporting on completed transition plans
OFTN Membership
Agricultural professionals are encouraged to become a OFTN member. The initial membership requirements are:
- Annual membership fee: $200
- Attend one of the following:
- IFTN Farm Succession Coordinator Training
- Cultivating Connections Conference
- OFTN Sponsored One-Day Training
- Illinois Ag Focused Financial Planning
- Involvement in farm transition planning in Ohio
- Initial and renewal eligibility are at discretion of OFTN managers
Important Membership Notes
- Information submitted will be featured on OFTN's Member Page
- You will be required to submit a year-end survey annual to report your impact on the industry
- Membership applications submitted for 2026 will commence in May 2026.
- Membership renewal will take place at the start of each calendar year.
- Membership can be revoked with consent of a majority of the advisory committee.
- Scholarships are available to offset financial cost of membership, if necessary.
Membership can be made at: go.osu.edu/oftnmembership
Training and Certification Programs
IFTN Certified Farm Succession Coordinator Training
OSU Extension and the Ohio Farm Transition Network hosted the International Farm Transition Network’s (IFTN) Certified Farm Succession Coordinator Training on April 20-22 in Wooster, Ohio. This 20-hour training offered 30 participants insight into the barriers to farm succession, strategies for working with families, facilitation tools to guide the process, and opportunities to consider real-life examples of farm transfer conflicts. Upon completion of the training, registrants were eligible to complete a certification exam to become a Certified IFTN Farm Succession Coordinator. Additional IFTN trainings will be scheduled in 2027.
Ag Professional Training
We are excited to announce that registration is now open for our fall One-Day Training for Professionals. Hosted at four locations across Ohio, these trainings are designed to bring together professionals from multiple disciplines while exploring key farm transition topics, including legal considerations, tax implications, financial resources, lender perspectives, and facilitated discussion.
Training Sessions
- Monday, October 12 - Ottawa, OH
- Tuesday, October 27 - Norwalk, OH
- Thursday, October 29 - Cambridge, OH
- Thursday, November 12 - Virtual via Zoom
Participation in this training program is available to both members and non-members. The attendance fee is $100, and registration closes two weeks ahead each respective training. Click here to register for one of these workshops.
Zoom Based Professional Development
In 2027, OFTN will be offeringa series of 1 hour webinars for members. Stay tuned for more details about these sessions.
Collaboration
The Ohio Farm Transition Network was established through the collaboration of the following founding members: AgCredit, Farm Credit Mid-America, Nationwide, Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, Ohio Soybean Association, Ohio State University Extension and USDA/Farm Service Agency
More Information
For more information about the Ohio Farm Transition Network, upcoming programs, or membership opportunities, contact Ryanna Tietje at tietje.9@osu.edu.